In this field, the project will aim to help speed up access procedures, the handling of cases, and processing of incoming requests. It will also promote exchanges of experience between the Mediterranean countries and the EU on methods for informing persons involved in legal proceedings of their rights. Another objective is to support the use of alternative conflict resolution methods such as mediation, other alternative dispute settlement methods and the appointment of justices of the peace. Under this component, the project will try to help advance legislative reforms designed to ensure full respect for human rights, particularly the right to a defence; help to develop systems that will offer the possibility of free advice to people on low incomes; facilitate the exchange of views and experiences in respect to questions linked with the discrimination of women.

This component of the EuroMed Justice II Project will pay particular attention to mixed marriages, couples facing a difficult economic situation and to the children of such couples, with the aim of settling the conflicts more satisfactorily. The focus will be on the resolution of conflicts concerning custody and visiting rights through mediation and facilitation of the rights of access (such as conciliation commissions and contact centres).

In this component there is also a great concern for the less protected and less privileged groups(minors in prison, alternatives to imprisonment, reintegration of former prisoners, etc., represent some of the major concerns of this project).

Transposition is an important stage in a process of reform aiming at covering the need for prison staff training, development of training and activities in prisons and support for vulnerable categories of prisoners like minors. At the same time, the project will take account of the need for alignment on international conventions in the light of the requirements of international judicial cooperation concerning the fight against terrorism and other forms of transnational organised crime.

The project's priorities will also include: (1) the identification of initiatives to promote the use of alternatives to imprisonment, such as social work or services of general interest; (2) identification of measures that will help the reintegration of former prisoners.

EUROMED Justice II Project
The European Commission launched a tender for the implementation of a new programme, the EuroMed Justice II Programme (January 2008 – January 2011). This tender was awarded to the consortium led by the European Institute of Public Administration (EIPA) and composed of the International and Ibero-American Foundation of Administration and Public Policies (FIIAPP) and of the Spanish General Council of the Judiciary (CGPJ).